Provide Care for Afghanistan's Abandoned Children

Dear Amazing Supporters,

We are excited to share some incredible updates from Afghanistan, where your generosity is changing lives. With your unwavering support, hundreds of children, particularly girls, are receiving the education and nutrition they need to thrive.

Educational Success in 2024

This year, we are thrilled to report significant academic improvements in the children we serve. Our program, which focuses on providing education to children, especially girls, who have been denied access to formal schooling due to the Taliban's ban on secondary education for girls, has proven to be a game-changer. The level of academic success achieved this year is a testament to the resilience of the children under our care and the unwavering commitment of our teachers and staff.

The children in our program are primarily girls aged 11 to 16 who have faced unimaginable challenges. Many are orphans, and their families simply cannot afford to send them to public schools. The combination of education, empowerment, and support has helped them excel academically.

Improvement in GPA

One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s progress is the significant improvement in our students’ GPAs. When they first joined the program, the average GPA was 33.7 (SD=7.56), but it has soared to 92.6 (SD=11.30), reflecting a tremendous increase of 58.9 points. This improvement highlights the transformative power of education when children are provided with the resources and support they need.

Our program offers academic classes in core subjects like mathematics, science, English, and Dari. The curriculum is designed not only to equip students with essential knowledge but also to empower them to think critically, solve problems, and develop life skills that will serve them well in the future. The results speak for themselves, with the children achieving exceptional academic success despite the many obstacles they face.

Health and Nutrition Impact

In addition to providing an education, our program also focuses on improving the children’s overall well-being. We have integrated nutrition into our program through a unique gardening initiative that helps supply fresh produce to the children and their families. This initiative has not only improved the students’ health but also ensured that they have the energy and strength to succeed academically.

This year, we exceeded our goal of producing and distributing 20 metric tons of fresh produce by producing a total of 66.689 metric tons. This produce is distributed to the students and their families, providing essential nutrients that many of them were previously lacking. The impact on the children’s health has been remarkable, with 90% of the children showing significant improvements in key health metrics, including protein levels, calcium, and hemoglobin.

The health improvements are a testament to the success of our holistic approach to supporting the children. By combining education with nutrition, we are giving the children the opportunity to thrive both academically and physically. The results are clear: education, combined with nutrition, is a powerful tool for lifting children out of poverty and ensuring their long-term well-being.

Thank You!

It is because of you that these children are able to attend school, receive nutritious meals, and dream of a better future. Together, we are making a difference in their lives. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.

With deep appreciation,

The Global Roots Team

Dear supporters,

We are excited to share an inspiring story from our Children’s Garden Program (CGP) in Afghanistan. Your support is making a huge impact on the lives of girls like 14-year-old Farhangiz, who was forced out of school three years ago.

Farhangiz’s success story

Imagine being 11 years old and having your dreams of becoming a doctor shattered overnight. This was the harsh reality for Farhangiz, an ambitious girl living in Diwana village, Shahada district, Badakhshan province. In 2022, girls were banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Instead of attending school and playing with friends, Farhangiz spent her days sewing clothing for eight hours, helping her family make ends meet.

But Farhangiz never lost hope. She dreamed of a miracle that would allow her to return to school. In 2024, her prayers were answered when she was accepted into Global Roots' Children’s Garden Program. This program, a beacon of hope for girls like Farhangiz, offers not only agricultural training but also lessons in Math and English. For Farhangiz, it was a lifeline.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our local partner, Global Roots for Life (GRLO), and your generous support, the dreams of 400 girls like Farhangiz have been revived.

 A Day CGP School

Every morning, Farhangiz wakes up early, eager to begin her two-hour walk to the CGP school. Classes start at 9:30 am, but her excitement propels her out the door long before then. She is deeply grateful for the school uniform, textbooks, notebooks, bag, pen, and other learning materials provided by the CGP school team.

The CGP schools operate in shifts, with two classrooms grouped by gender. The curriculum includes Math and English, essential subjects that rekindle the academic flame in students like Farhangiz. Additionally, the girls engage in greenhouse activities, learning to grow cucumbers and other vegetables, which they take home to their families.

These daily garden products not only provide nourishment but also instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. For girls like Farhangiz, the CGP schools and garden programs are a sanctuary and a stepping stone towards a brighter future.

 Impact and Sustainability

 Education is the passport to the future for children in Afghanistan, yet millions of teenage girls are denied this fundamental right. This year, Global Roots is supporting 413 children in Northeast Afghanistan—73% of them girls aged 11 to 18—through the Children’s Garden school and food security programs.

Your generous contributions are the bedrock of these efforts. They ensure that our critical services continue, offering safe havens where girls can learn and grow. 

Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication to our cause. Your support is enabling us to continue our vital work and empower girls like Farhangiz to build brighter futures. Together, we are making a tangible difference in their lives, contributing to a more equitable and just society.

Thank you for being champions for change.

Warm regards,

The Global Roots Team